Group hits out at county’s GPs (From Hereford Times)

Group hits out at county’s GPs

7:54am Thursday 24th May 2007 in Health

DOCTORS in Herefordshire have been rebuked for failing to attend an international conference on ME held in London.

It is claimed that of 111 GPs listed in the county, none had registered to be present, although 24 surgery managers had been notified about the event, which took place earlier this month.

Pauline Ovenden, president of Herefordshire ME/CFS/FMS Group, described it as the "shame" of GPs, saying the conference was a unique opportunity for them to know more about the latest research and information from leading experts.

But Dr Ian Tait, of Bromyard, who serves on Herefordshire Primary Care Trust, defended his colleagues by saying GPs received invitations to conferences on medical subjects all over the country every week.

Travelling to London was too time consuming and doctors, who now have less surgery time, could spend it more usefully dealing with their patients.

As well as criticising GPs for not attending the conference, Mrs Ovenden claimed the service given to ME sufferers in Herefordshire had deteriorated.

She accused doctors of not keeping up to date with latest research, relying on information "donkeys years old".

But Dr Tait said GPs did attend courses on ME, but they much closer to home, and they were able to keep in touch with top research and information on ME, and other subjects, through their computers.

He added they received the most up-to-date information online and could study, and learn from it, in their own time at nights or weekends.

Mrs Ovenden also said that while new patients, about five a month, were being referred to a consultant and stood a chance of being treated before their condition became chronic, there was very little help for those already in the chronic stage.

"We are having to fight the battle ourselves. The majority are not getting help," she said.

But Dr Tait said it was not a fair reflection on GPs, who did take ME very seriously and recognised the importance of education and training in dealing with the condition.